Abstract: A plasma cutting or welding system includes a power input. The power input is configured to be coupled to a plurality of multipronged input plugs. Each of the multipronged input plugs corresponds to an input voltage. The power supply also includes a user input device for selecting an operating current. The user input device is subdivided into a plurality of current ranges. Each of the current ranges includes an iconic representation of at least one multipronged input plug.

Abstract: A power supply for welding, cutting and similar operations includes a dual two-switch forward converter. The converter has two inverter circuits coupled in parallel but controlled to provide output power in an interleaved fashion. To avoid “walking” of the circuits (which could result in different duty cycles and imbalance of the load sharing), control signals are determined and applied to a first of the inverter circuits, and “on” times of the first circuit is monitored, such as by augmenting a counter to determine the number of clock cycles the first circuit is “on”. The same duration is then used for commanding output from the second inverter circuit. The duty cycles of both circuits is thus ensured to be the same regardless of changes in the total output power.

Abstract: A power supply for welding, cutting and similar operations includes one or more power converters that are controlled by PWM signals applied by control circuitry. The signals may be applied for a period greater than 50% duty cycle. The duty cycle may be determined by monitoring power or current draw by a welding or cutting operation load. Where more than one converters is used, each may have the same or different duty cycles, and each may be extended beyond a 50% maximum.

Abstract: A plasma cutting or welding system includes a power input. The power input is configured to be coupled to a plurality of multipronged input plugs. Each of the multipronged input plugs corresponds to an input voltage. The power supply also includes a user input device for selecting an operating current. The user input device is subdivided into a plurality of current ranges. Each of the current ranges includes an iconic representation of at least one multipronged input plug.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system includes a welding-type system including circuitry configured to receive direct current (DC) power directly from a distributed DC bus, to generate a current using the received DC power, and to isolate the welding-type system from the distributed DC bus.

Abstract: A plasma cutting or welding system includes a power input. The power input is configured to be coupled to a plurality of multipronged input plugs. Each of the multipronged input plugs corresponds to an input voltage. The power supply also includes a user input device for selecting an operating current. The user input device is subdivided into a plurality of current ranges. Each of the current ranges includes an iconic representation of at least one multipronged input plug.

Abstract: Methods and systems for transferring a plasma arc from between an electrode and a tip to between an electrode and a workpiece and back as dictated by the conditions at the cutting arc are provided. The present disclosure allows for arc transfer detection without use of a current sensor at the workpiece or knowledge of a precise pilot circuit limit value through a novel plasma arc control circuit. In one embodiment, the plasma arc control circuit provides a programmable current source and a current sink configured to limit current in a pilot arc control circuit. The pilot arc circuit may be configured to signal its limiting status to a controller, which may switch the pilot arc control circuit in or out of the current path. Certain embodiments may include a pulse width modulation control in the pilot arc control circuit for controlling current flow through the pilot arc circuit.

Abstract: A high frequency power source configured to provide a variable voltage output is described such as for use in welding systems. The high frequency power source charges a capacitive storage device. A transformer having a primary winding coupled to the output of the high frequency power source and establishing a resonant frequency signal with the capacitive storage device, and a secondary winding coupled to the welding power supply, superimposes the resonant frequency signals onto the welding power signal of the welding power supply during periods of the resonant rings. By varying the voltage output from the high frequency power source, the high frequency energy delivered to the welding torch can be optimized for a variety of welding applications.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing welding-type power supply is disclosed. It includes an inverter power circuit, a bus inductor, a snubber circuit a snubber capacitor voltage feedback circuit, and a control circuit. The inverter circuit includes a bus, switches, and an output. The bus inductor is connected to the inverter and the bus. The snubber circuit is connected to the switches. Also, the snubber circuit includes a snubber inductor, a snubber capacitor, a recovery switch connected to the snubber inductor and the snubber capacitor. At least one freewheeling circuit includes the snubber inductor and at least one freewheeling switch. The snubber capacitor voltage feedback circuit is connected to the snubber capacitor and provides a snubber capacitor voltage feedback output to the control circuit. The control circuit includes a comparison circuit that compares the snubber capacitor voltage feedback and a threshold. The output of the comparison controls the recovery switch.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing welding-type power includes a power circuit, a temperature sense circuit, a switch feedback circuit, and a controller. They cooperate to provide thermal management based on a switch parameter, such as current, in addition to a sensed temperature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing welding-type power includes a power circuit, a temperature sense circuit, a switch feedback circuit, and a controller. They cooperate to provide thermal management based on a switch parameter, such as current, in addition to a sensed temperature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing welding-type power supply is disclosed. It includes an inverter power circuit, a bus inductor, a snubber circuit a snubber capacitor voltage feedback circuit, and a control circuit. The inverter circuit includes a bus, switches, and an output. The bus inductor is connected to the inverter and the bus. The snubber circuit is connected to the switches. Also, the snubber circuit includes a snubber inductor, a snubber capacitor, a recovery switch connected to the snubber inductor and the snubber capacitor. At least one freewheeling circuit includes the snubber inductor and at least one freewheeling switch. The snubber capacitor voltage feedback circuit is connected to the snubber capacitor and provides a snubber capacitor voltage feedback output to the control circuit. The control circuit includes a comparison circuit that compares the snubber capacitor voltage feedback and a threshold. The output of the comparison controls the recovery switch.